As part of Nathan Littauer’s ongoing mission to keep children safe and in the game, Littauer’s Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Team will be presenting a unique program to the community: A Concussion Discussion. The Hospital is hosting the movie “Concussion” at the Johnstown Movieplex to be followed by a round table discussion with medical and athletic experts. The entire event will take place in a theater the hospital has rented out for the evening. “While the movie does focus on the NFL, it is a good conversation starter for any athlete, parent or coach,” explained Cheryl McGrattan, Nathan Littauer Hospital, Vice President of Community Relations.

The event will start at 6pm, Thursday, January 21, 2016 at the MoviePlex in Johnstown. Attendees will be treated to the full length movie “Concussion” starring Will Smith followed immediately by a roundtable discussion. The speakers for the evening are: Dr. Richard Solby, Pediatrician at Littauer and William Oates, Director of Rehab and Sports Medicine, also for Littauer. James Robare, Director of Athletics for Johnstown High School will also be presenting.

The event is free. RSVPs are required to for admission. Anyone interested in attending the event, is asked to please RSVP to 736-1120 or by emailing: stopsportsinjuries@nlh.org by January 18, 2016.

McGrattan continued, “We also will simulate an on-field concussion “event” complete with proper and immediate evaluation.”

According to the CDC, “If left undiagnosed, a concussion may place an athlete at risk of developing second impact syndrome—a potentially fatal injury that occurs when an athlete sustains a second head injury before a previous head injury has completely heal.”

The hospital is also reminding the community that the program is appropriate for any high-impact sport, including soccer, snowmobiling, football, hockey, lacrosse and motocross. The event is open to coaches for any age group, parents, athletes, Athletic Directors, trainers and healthcare professionals.

According to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey recently found that reports of concussions are up 60 percent over the past decade in hospital emergency rooms. And the increase isn’t a result of more injuries; it’s because people now understand the seriousness of sports injuries, and are taking preventive measures.